Index strip



R. F. TABER April 2l, 1931..

INDEX STRIP 6. 1926 2 Sheets-sheet Filed Nov.

Im/enr R maw4 21, 1931. R F TABER 1,801,401.

INDEX STRIP Filed Nov. 6, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 figg.

nz/@nor Raf/Uh E Taber Patented Apr. 21, 1931 UNITED STATES APATENT .OFFICE j RALPH r. Tanna, or Non-'rn 'roNAwANDLNEwYYORm assIYGNoB, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, 'ro REMINGTON BAND INC., or Naw xonx, N. Y., A CORPORATION or DELAWARE INDEX srnn Application led November 6, 1926. Serial No. 146,764.

This invention relates to index strips, and has reference more particularly to index strips in the form of material separated by a series of score marks or per-forations into a series Of narrow and flexible index strips adapted to be inserted under the fianges of a supporting frame.

Index strips of the scored or perforated type have been constructed of wood coated with brous material such as paper, the narrow index strips being adapted to be readily inserted in a supporting frame or tray. This thin wood material has given considerable trouble, because of the fact that it readily la takes up or gives up moisture as the humidity of the air changes, with the result that the index strips in a supporting frame warp and twist out of shape so that convenient reference thereto can not be made, and the index file has an unsightly appearance.

Index strips of this character have also not been as elastic as desired, since, when the strip is bent for insertion under the flanges of an index frame, the strips do not flatten out comfpletely, and as a result, the surface of the index file has a rough and uneven appearance, due to the'fact Ithat numerous index strips are notlying flat on the index panel.

An object of this invention is to produce index strips of wood Or other fibrous material which are coated on one or both sides with a moisture proof substance, and, if desired, also impregnating the fibrous material with a moisture proof substance. v Another object of this invention is to improve the elasticity of index strips of the class described so that the strips will lie flat on the panel when placed under the fianges of the index frame; also to improve index devices in other respects hereinafter specified and claimed. p

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specication,

4l in which,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the completed index mat,

tional view through a modified form of the index mat,

Fig. 5 1s a fragmentary sectional view simi- Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an apparalar to Fig. 4 but of a further modified form of the index mat,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view thrpugh a further modified form of the index ma Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an intermediate step in 'the preparation of the index strip shown in Fig. 4,

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevation of an index frame with one of the improved index* strips being inserted under the flanges thereof,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevation of an index frame showing the last step in the insertion of an index strip under the iianges of the frame, l

Fig. l0 is a perspective view showing a. scored composite mat being provided with notations by means of a stencil.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 10 indicates an index strip which is preferably formed of a composite mat of material, as shown in Fig. 3.- 'lhis composite mat may consist of a cent-ral body portion 1l of ibrous material such as wood, cardboard, or the like. This material composing the body portion is preferably but not necessarily im regnated with a moisture-proof substance suc as nitrocellulose, varnish or the like, so that said body ortion will not warp out of shape when sub- ]ected to air of varying humidity.

The body portion 11 of the index strip may 'be further coated on each surface with a. layer of material 12 which serves two purposes,

namely; to make the body portion 11 further proof against moisture and to provide a surace which is adapted to take ink from a typewriter, stenciling roll, or the like. In the preferred form these surfaces 12 are composed of a material which may be applied by flowing, spraying or brushing a liquid such as enamels, nitro-cellulose paints or lacquers or other liquid which dries after being applied v `increased thus causing the strips to lie flat on an index panel 13 of an index frame 14, when the ends of said strips are insertedunder the anges 15 of said index frame.

The composite mat which is to form the index strips, is preferably scored or partially cut through its thicknessby a pluralitl of arallel lines or slots 16. In the form o the invention shown in Fig. 3, thescore marks 16 pass through the layer of lacquer 12, through the body portion 11, but do not pass through the op ite lacquer layer 12, the latter serving to old the index strips together. These score marks 16 or perforations may be so formed as to pass through all of the layers of the composite mat along a partial length of each score line or slot 16. Thus the index strips may be held together by adhesion of the knives 18 only partially sever the com-- posite mat to-form the index strips. The score line 16 may be formed by a reciprocating die having one or more knives on its surface, which cut the score lines 16 artially through the composite mat. Usual y, however, the score line 16 vis made by annular knives which travel continuously across the mat, each knife rotating as it travels so as to partially sever the composite mat.

A final step in the process ofmaking finished index strips ready for filing under the anges 15 of the index frame 14 consists in applying names or other data 20 tothe index strips of the series before severing the same. These names 20 are preferably applied by imposing a stencil over the scored, composite mat, the stencil being preferably previously prepared by t pewr-iting the desired data in lines. An in ing roll is then passed over the stencil so that the iiik from the roll passes through the typewritten notations on the stencil and are imprinted on the index strips. For this purpose it is desirable to use a stencil which is semi-transparent so that the stencil may be arranged over the composite scored mat with the typewritten notations on the stencil properly alined with the index strips.

The method of preparing my improved index strips therefore includes the following steps.

(1) Impregnating the material forming the body portion 11 with a moisture-proof agent,

2 Drying this agent or substance,

(3 Spra ing paint, lacquer or enamel on the two sur aces of the body portion 11,

(4) Drying the paint, lacquer or enamel on the surfaces of the body portions,

(5) Providing the composite strip thus formed with parallel score lines 16,

(6) Applying) notations to the individual index strips, as y stenciling,

(7) Severing the scored and stenciled index mat to form individual index strips, eachA having a properly ositioned notation.

The apparatus or carrying out my improved method is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2, in which a continuous stri of material 21 such as` cardboard, woo etc. is prepared, if necessary, b splicing together pieces'of short length. T is continuous strip passes over rollers 22, 23, 24 and 25, the rollers 23 and 24 being immersed in an impregnating liquid contained in a tank 27. After passin7 over the draining roller 25, the impregnated strip 21 passes into a drying chamber 28 of any suitable construction, where the solvent contained in the' im regnating material 26 is evaporated from t e strip 21, leaving the residual, moistureroof material in the pores of the strip 21 witii the surface of said strip in a dry condition for the reception of a surface material 12. The strip 21 then passes between spraying chambers 29 and 30, each of which contains a spray nozzle 31, so that said spray nozzles are oppositely directed and the nitro-cellulose, lacquer, paint or enamel is vsprayed through said nozzles onto the opposite faces of the strip 21 so as to make a smooth and uniform surface suitable for the reception of printed notations and for also increasing the flexibility of said strips. A sprayed surface is especially effective for this purpose, since it provides a dull finish on the index strip which is especially desirable for receiving ink as commonly used in stenciling.

After the lacquer surface 12 is applied to the surface of the strip 21, said strip passes into a second, suitable drying chamber 82 where the solvent in the nitro-cellulose lacquer or enamel is evaporated to form the ink receiving surface 12. Strip 21 then passes between lthe rollers 17 and 19 where the knives 18 partially sever the composite mat to form the score lines 16. It should be understood that instead of the rollers 17 and 19, any other form of scoring device may be used if desired as above described. After scoring the strip passes over roller 32d to any desired discharge point, after which the desired notations are applied to the index strip by stenciling, typewriting or the like as above described.

The apparatus for stenciling .the names on the index strip may consist ofl a stencil sheet'.

33 which is provided with typewritten notations. This stencil sheet is superimposed on the index sheetlO so that the lines of notations in said stencil sheet are properly alined with the individual index stri s on said index mat 10." An inking roll 34 is t en passed over the stencil sheet 33 so that ink passes through the typevvritten notations in the stencil sheet and causes an imprint of said notations to be formed on the index strip 10. The stencil sheet 33 is then removed and the index mat 10 is broken apart or severed into individual index strips. Each strip is-then inserted under the flanges 15 of the index' frame 14 as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5, the paint, lacquer, or other ink receptive surface 35 is applied to only one surface of the body member 1l. In this ca-se the bod member 11 is preferably impregnated wit a moisture-proof material to prevent Warping of same. The score mar s 16a in this case pass through the wooden body portion 11 but do not pass through the lacquer surface 35 so that said lacquer surface serves to hold the index strips together in mat form until it is desired to sever' same. Y

In the form shown in Fig. 6, the body por tion 11 is also provided with a lacquer surface 35a on one face only as in Fig. 5. However, the score marks 166 pass through the lacquer surface 35a and partially, but not completely, through the wooden body portion 11, so that the unsevered art 36 of thebody portion 11 serves to hold t e individual index strips in mat form until it is desired to sever same. The form of the invention shown in Fig.

" 4 comprises a body portion 11 of Wood or other suitable material which may or may not be impregnated with a moisture-proof agent. This body portion 11 is provided With a surface 356 of lacquer, paint, or enamel which is adapted to take the printing ink. The surface of the body portion opposite the lacquer surface 356 is covered with a sheet of any suitable tough and flexible sheet materialsuch as layer of transparent cellulose 37 attached to the body portion l1 by a layer of weak adnotations are stenciled onto the lac-quer surface 3,56 ofthe index strips, said index strips lare separated by tearing the iiexible sheet of cellulose' material 37 from the back ofsaid index mat, as shownv in Fig. 7, the adhesive v 38 being Weak enough to permit the ready separation of said flexible sheet 37. The Hexiblev sheet 37 may be narrower in Width than the index mat if desired so as to permiteasier separationtherefrom. v

I would state in conclusion thatwhile the illustrated examplesconstitute a preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not limit myself precisely to the details herein described, since manifestly the same can be considerably varied Without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An index mat comprising a body portion of fibrous material, a surface formed on one face of said body portion adapted to receive printed notations, a flexible layer secured to the opposite face of said body portion, said body portion having a series of score lines dividing same into a series of index strips, said liexible layer being adapted to be removed from saidbody portion so as vidual index strips.

2. A flexible index device comprising an elongated narrowstrip of wood veneer, and a coating of water-proof flexible material applied in liquid form and dried on each face of said strip, said coatings bonding with the surface fiber of the strip to form an integral structuretherewith and to provide tension and compression reinforcement respectively when said device is flexed, said coatings also rendering the surfaces of said strip moistureproof to prevent warping thereof.

3. Flexible index strips in sheet form, comprising a rectangular sheet of Wood veneer, a coating of water-proof flexible material on each face of said sheet, said coatings Vbonding with the surface fiber of the sheet to form an integral structure therewith, one of said coatings and said sheet being cut through to form a series of elongated narrow strips, said strips being maintained in assembled relation by the uncut coating.

4. Flexible index strips in sheet form comprising a rectangular sheet of Wood veneer, a coating of flexible material on one surface of said sheet, said coating bonding with the structure therewith, said sheet being cut through to form a series of elongated narrow1 strips, said strips being maintained in assembled relation by said coating, said coat- ,to divide said index mat into a series of indiiis surface fiber of the sheet to form an integral ing being frangible when adjacent strips are bent at an acute angle relative each other.

5. Flexible index strips in sheet form, comprising a rectangular sheet of wood veneer, said sheet being impregnated with a Waterproof material to prevent warping, a coating of flexible material on one surface of said sheet, said coating bonding with the surface fiber of the sheet to form an integral structure therewith, said sheet being cut through to form series of elongated narrow strips maintained in assembled relation by said coating, said coatinfT being frangible when adjacent strips are tbent, at an acute angle 1 relative each other.

' RALPH F. TABER. 

